Jared Hubbard died along with his best friend, Jeremiah Baro, who joined with him, in an IED explosion in Iraq. Jared was survived by his brothers Jason and Nathan, Jason's wife Linnae Hubbard, his sister Heidi and his parents, Jeff (a retired Clovis, CA police officer) and Peggy Hubbard.

Jeff Hubbard, the boys' father, said after the Jared was killed, "I don't care about the politics. Jared is a hero, he fought for freedom, he fought for us."

Nathan, 21, and Jason, 31, joined the Army two years ago in response to their middle brother Jared, a Marine sharpshooter, being killed in Iraq.

They said they were, "going to finish the job Jared started." Together they enlisted, knowing they would be immediately deployed to Iraq.Nathan Hubbard, 21 (pictured right), was killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq on Tuesday, August 21, 2007.

In the longest flight of his life, Jason will fly back, his hand on Nathan's coffin, from Iraq later this week.

These men are both patriots, they are heroes, they are the essence of the courage and honor that can be seen throughout our military men and women.

Thank you Nathan. Thank you Jared. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.